Pick Your Own Aussie Produce

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Australia is full of fresh produce, you just have to know where to look. Leah Antonas Goulis goes on a picking adventure – and invites you to come along!

The world has gone crazy with self sufficiency and sustainable living. And I’m a self-confessed sheep.

No, I don’t live on a 100-acre property where fresh air fills my lungs daily and my veggie patch rivals that of the celebrity chefs Jamie Oliver and Stephanie Alexander. Though in my dreams, this might be the case!

I’m a suburban girl. And while I do have a lovely little veggie patch and a hard-working worm farm, I am constantly on the hunt for fresh Aussie produce that I can pick myself.

So, with my trusty picking basket and red riding hood-esque cape, out into the wilderness I went…. And here’s what I came back with… the ultimate guide to PYO (pick your own) produce our country has to offer!

Get out there and enjoy it for yourself… and feel free to share any picking adventures you’ve had!

NSW

BILPIN SPRINGS ORCHARD, BILPIN
Apples and stone fruit (including pears, plums and peaches).
Season: Late January to June (depending on the climate)
Visit: http://www.eftel.com.au/~cl/

ALLAMBIE ORCHARD, WOMBAT
Cherries, cherries and more cherries!
Season: Mid November to late December
Visit: http://www.allambieorchard.com/

PINEHAVEN STUD AND CHESTNUT FARM, WINGELLO
Offers a large variety of chestnuts – suitable for boiling and roasting!
Season: Late March to late April (sometimes early May)
Visit: http://www.chestnutfarm.com.au/

GUNEEMOOROO OLIVES, MUDGEE
Grows a large variety of olives – and presses their own oil.
Season: April and May
Visit: http://www.mudgeefinefoods.com.au/members/guneemooroo.php

PINE MUSHROOMS, OBERON STATE FOREST
Saffron Milk Cap (aka Pine Mushrooms) and Slippery Jacks can be found in the middle of the pine forest. But remember, if you’re not sure about the variety – don’t pick it!
Season: Late February to May
Visit: http://www.oberonaustralia.com.au/things_mushrooms.asp

BALLINACLASH ORCHARD, YOUNG
Cherries, strawberries and apricots
Season: Mid November to late December
Visit: http://www.ballinaclash.com.au/

ROSEWOOD TRUFFERIE, SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS
Harvest your own French black truffles with their ‘Truffle Harvesting Experience’!
Season: June to early September
Visit: http://www.perigord.com.au/

QLD

BROOSIDE OLIVES, INGLEWOOD
For a variety of yummy Olives
Season: Mid February to Mid May
Visit: http://www.brooksideolives.com.au/

GAETA VALLEY ORGANIC OLIVES, GAETA
Olives and other fruit and veg options
Season: February to March
Visit: http://www.gaeta-organics.com/

GOWINTA FARMS, BEERWAH
Strawberries, pineapples, lychees and vegetables. A great one for the kids!
Season: All year round (depending on what produce you want to pick!)
Visit: http://www.gowinta.com.au/

SA

BEERENBERG STRAWBERRY FARM, HAHNDORF
Strawberries, as well as sweetcorn, cherries, gherkins and hot chilli peppers
Season: November to May (for berries)
Visit: http://www.beerenberg.com.au/

STELLA CREEK CHERRY ORCHARD, FOREST RANGE
For delicious, plump cherries
Season: Beginning of November to early January
Visit: http://www.stellacreek.com.au/

VIC

AINTREE ALMONDS & APIARY, BEARII
Almonds, variety of veggies, olives and honey
Season: Olives and honey available all year round. Harvesting veggies February to April
Visit: http://www.bellarte.com.au/aintree/

THE BRAMBLE FARM, LANGWARRIN
Raspberries, Blackberries, Blueberries
Season: PYO Berries from November to May
Visit: http://www.bramblefarm.com.au/

HIGH GROVE, STANLEY
Blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, boysenberries, red/black currants, and chestnuts.
Season: Berries from December to January
Visit: http://www.higrove.com.au/

ELLISFIELD FARM, RED HILL
Cherries and quinces
Season: Sweet cherries from late November until early January. Morello cherries throughout January. Quinces in April and May.
Visit: http://www.ellisfieldfarm.com.au/

SUNNY RIDGE STRAWBERRY FARM, MAIN RIDGE
Strawberries and berry-based products
Season: November to April
Visit: http://www.sunnyridge.com.au/

THE REAL RIVER COMPANY, DONNYBROOK
Apples, peaches, plums, nashi pears, cider (as well as gold mining!)
Season: All year round, depending on produce you want to pick
Visit: http://www.therealrivercompany.com.au/

TAS

HILLWOOD STRAWBERRY FARM, NEAR LAUNCESTON
Strawberries, raspberries, and currants
Season: From November to May
Visit: http://www.hillwoodberryfarm.com.au/

SORELL FRUIT FARM, SORELL
Strawberries, loganberries, peaches, and apples
Season: Late October to May
Visit: http://www.sorellfruitfarm.com/

PERIGORD TRUFFLES, GROVE
Harvest your own French black truffles at Rosewood’s sister Trufferie
Season: June to early September
Visit: http://www.perigord.com.au/